What is Juan Pedro Benali's 'Plan B' for FC Goa?

The Spaniard is optimistic despite a dismissal from the last game disrupting his preferred lineup.

NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) head coach Juan Pedro Benali spoke about Asheer Akhtar’s red card incident ahead of the team’s away match against FC Goa, in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25. The Highlanders will face FC Goa in their fourth match of the ISL season on 4th October. This will be their third away game.

In the pre-match press conference, at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, the head coach informed that the club has appealed for Asheer’s red card. He commented, “We still have days, we don’t know who’s going to play. We hope that we sent the file to the AIFF. They have a meeting tomorrow.”

On the Asheer Akhtar incident and appealing for a review

Indian defender Asheer Akhtar was sent off against Kerala Blasters for his lunging tackle on Noah Sadaoui on 29th September. It was the first straight red card of the season and Asheer’s absence is bound to be felt as he has undoubtedly been one of the key players in NorthEast United FC’s revitalised defense.

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Adding further to his comments, the Spanish coach said, “We hope they take it out. But at the same time, we need to have a plan B to see who can play. I think he did not deserve the red card.”

“But this is my personal opinion. There are others who have an opinion, and we respect it,” Juan Pedro Benali asserted.

On possible contingencies

Juan Pedro Benali also talked about the replacement for Asheer Akhtar, if his red card is not revoked. He said that the club had a replacement for the Indian defender. “We hope the player who plays in his place will give everything. We still have time, and we hope, and I have confidence, that the player who plays in his place will do a lot,” added the tactician.

When asked if Dinesh Singh could play as a central defender, the coach stated, “I really don’t know. We still have two training sessions. I will make a decision. We’ll see.”

NorthEast United FC started the season on a positive note. They defeated Mohammedan SC in the first league match. After this, they faced a 2-3 defeat to Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Kolkata. In their first home game in Guwahati this season, the Highlanders shared a point with Kerala Blasters.

On the other hand, FC Goa struggled in the first two stages, drawing against Mohammedan SC and losing to Jamshedpur FC. However, they made their comeback against East Bengal FC in Kolkata, winning 3-2, despite also getting one of their players sent off.

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